OU football notebook: Bob Stoops on the defensive again

Bob Stoops went out of his way to defend offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson on Monday, but he also made note of a statistic lost in the Sooners’ second loss of the season: total yardage.

Brandon Caleb could see a few more passes thrown his way. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

"Miami had a very successful offense, right? That’s what everyone’s talking about,” Stoops said. "Well, we had the same yardage in every which way and we’re one point short, right? So in the end, it’s funny how one is horrible and the other is awfully good.”

Miami threw for 202 yards and rushed for another 140, finishing the game with 342 yards of total offense. Oklahoma threw for 188 yards and ran for 153 for 341 yards of offensive output.

Wilson came under fire after some alleged the second-half play-calling was too conservative, especially considering Oklahoma played from behind throughout the second half.

Stoops’ month

This wasn’t how Stoops envisioned the first month of his season playing out. Down his three best offensive weapons and in possession of a pair of one-point losses, the Sooners’ preseason national championship hopes are now all but dashed.

He said it was among the worst months he’d ever had as a coach, but compared it to another period that was nearly as tumultuous within the program.

"The only thing close was a few years ago when we lost AD (running back Adrian Peterson) and we had to remove our quarterback (Rhett Bomar). That whole situation was similar, but not quite what these injuries held,” Stoops said. "That year we didn’t blow anybody out, we were in fist fights every week. And they handled it well.”

That team — 2006 — won the first of three consecutive Big 12 championships, finishing the season 11-3 with a loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.